Afghanistan completed a dominant 4-0 series victory over Ireland on Saturday, August 15, after successfully chasing down a target of 299 in the fifth ODI. Skipper Rahmat Shah anchored the innings with a composed, unbeaten 143, guiding his team to a six-wicket win despite an early collapse that left the side reeling at 22 for 2.
Ireland’s bowling attack, led by Liam McCarthy, initially stifled the visitors. McCarthy claimed both openers, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, within the first five overs. The Irish maintained a disciplined line throughout the Powerplay, restricting Afghanistan to just 30 runs for the loss of two wickets. As the required run-rate climbed above seven per over by the 13th, Rahmat and Sediqullah Atal remained steady, eventually shifting the momentum in the 16th over when Rahmat struck a six off Gavin Hoey.
The pair built a 201-run partnership that remained largely untroubled, reaching the 200-run mark by the 40th over. Atal, who contributed 98, was eventually dismissed by McCarthy after a stunning catch from Cade Carmichael. Rahmat, however, pushed on to secure his first century in over five years during the 42nd over. Supported by Azmatullah Omarzai’s quick-fire 24 off 14 balls, Rahmat hit the winning boundary in the 49th over to seal the highest run-chase in Afghanistan’s ODI history.
Earlier, Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl. Omarzai struck twice in the seventh over to remove Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling, while AM Ghazanfar dismissed both Carmichael and Lorcan Tucker to disrupt Ireland’s middle order. Although Nangeyalia Kharoti removed Harry Tector for 53, Ireland found stability through a 55-run stand between Tector and Curtis Campher, followed by a 72-run partnership involving Campher and George Dockrell.
Ireland finished strongly, scoring 101 runs in their final 10 overs. Campher led the charge with 96 before being dismissed by Saleem Safi in the final over, setting a total of 298/7. Despite the late surge, Afghanistan’s batting depth proved superior.
Brief Scores: Ireland 298/7 in 50 overs (Curtis Campher 96, Harry Tector 55; Azmatullah Omarzai 3-74) lost to Afghanistan 302/4 in 48.5 overs (Rahmat Shah 143*, Sediqullah Atal 98; Liam McCarthy 3-47) by 6 wickets.
Having assumed control, Ireland remained disciplined for the rest of the Powerplay, with Afghanistan only scoring 30 for 2.
The required run-rate soared past 7 runs per over as early as the 13th over but the two batters never lost their composure.
The partnership, largely chanceless barring a top-edge that landed safe and a slight mix-up, had swelled to 200 by the 40th over.
With a sizeable total to defend, Ireland started well with the new ball.
Having settled in and attained comfort at the crease, the duo confidently punished anything that was loose.
Both batters brought up fifty and kept striking timely boundaries as Ireland continued to grow desperate.
Just as it seemed like Ireland were without hope, McCarthy returned to break the partnership.
Eager to reach three figures, Atal heaved a length delivery towards deep midwicket only for Cade Carmichael to swoop in and take a stunning catch.
Azmatullah Omarzai also played a crucial hand, contributing a 14-ball 24 in a 56-run partnership with Rahmat, to tilt the game decisively in Afghanistan’s favour.
Earlier in the day, both teams made three changes each with the series already decided.
Afghanistan opted to bowl upon winning the toss and caused plenty of problems for the Irish openers with the new ball.
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